Arjun Menon
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
Urban water bodies are increasingly exposed to pollution due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, and anthropogenic activities, resulting in degradation of water quality. This study assesses the water quality of selected urban water bodies using the Water Quality Index (WQI), an effective tool to evaluate overall water health based on multiple physico-chemical parameters. Samples were collected from five representative urban lakes and ponds over a six-month period and analyzed for key parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, and heavy metals. The WQI was computed following weighted aggregation techniques, allowing classification of water quality into categories ranging from excellent to poor. The study identified significant pollution levels in some water bodies, primarily due to untreated sewage discharge and industrial effluents. Statistical analysis revealed correlations between urban runoff and deterioration in water quality parameters. Recommendations for remediation and sustainable urban water management are proposed based on the findings.
Keywords
Water Quality Index, Urban Water Bodies, Physico-Chemical Parameters, Pollution Assessment, Water Quality Management
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